Medical device for internally administering medicants

ABSTRACT

A medical device for internally administering medicants in body passages. The device comprises a hollow cylinder and a detachable nozzle secured to one end of the cylinder and insertable into a body passage. A thin tearable sack for a medicant is secured in the nozzle. An ejector piston formed with a rack portion is slidable in the hollow cylinder. A knurled wheel mounted in the cylinder&#39;&#39;s wall engages with the ejector piston&#39;&#39;s rack portion. Rotation of the knurled wheel advances the ejector piston into the nozzle and pushes the medicant through the tearable sack into the body passage.

United States Patent [72] Inventors RobertFuchsloeher 21 Schwnnthnlerstrnsse, D8 Munich, 15; Hermann R. Woreh, 79 Brandenburgerstrasse, 85 Nuernberg, 33, both of, Germany 673,436

Oct. 6, 1967 July 27,1971

Oct. 14, 1966, June 7, 1967 Germany W 45289 and W 39946 Appl. No. Filed Patented Priority MEDICAL DEVICE FOR INTERNALLY ADMINISTERING MEDICANTS 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 128/264 rm. Cl A6lm 31/00 FicldotSearch 128/236,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1867 Hammond Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Jacob L. Kollin ABSTRACT: A medical device for internally administering medicants in body passages. The device comprises a hollow cylinder and a detachable nozzle secured to one end of the cylinder and insertable into a body passage. A thin tearable sack for a medicant is secured in the nozzle. An ejector piston formed with a rack portion is slidable in the hollow cylinder. A knurled wheel mounted in the cylinders wall engages with the ejector piston's rack portion. Rotation of the knurled wheel advances the ejector piston into the nozzle and pushes the medicant through the tearable sack into the body passage.

PATENTEDJULZHB?! 3 595 233 SHEET 1 [IF 2 lNVENTOR PATENTED M27197! 3, 595 233 sum 2 UF 2 INVENTOR:

MEDICAL DEVICE FOR INTERNALLY ADMINISTERING MEDICANTS The present invention relates to a medical instrument for introducing medicants of all kinds particularly cartridges, either rectally or otherwise into body passages.

Known instruments comprise a cylindrical housing, in which an excess pressure is produced, which conveys the cartridge together with an expelling ram, into the body passage. Prior to using the instrument, the medicant is charged into an opening at the induction end of the cylindrical instrument.

The object of the invention is to provide a medical instrument conforming to both operability and overall hygiene and medical requirements. It is therefore intended to attain an extremely high degree of sterility during application, so that the risk of transfer of viruses and bacteria is minimized. A further aim is to attain a suitable dosage with regard to the intensity of thrust of the medicant, so that the degree of compatibility and sensitivity of the patient, may be taken into account. Similarly, the present invention provides for the same instrument to be used for the various medicants of different sizes and configurations produced by various pharmaceutical manufacturers.

According to the present invention there is provided a medical device for internally administering medicants, such as cartridges or suppositories in body passages in which there is provided a cylindrical hollow body adapted to receive an ejection mechanism at one end also acting as a handling section, and an inserting nozzle, interchangeably mounted therein, adapted to receive the cartridge or suppository.

Advantageously the inserting member has at its inserting ends a rounded resilient opening with a slot formed therein through which the medicant may be sterilely introduced into the body passage.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the inserting end of the instrument FIG. 2 is a cartridge with a protective covering,

FIG. 3 shows the method of ejecting a cartridge from a packaging foil, v

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a packed cartridge acting simultaneously as an introducing nozzle,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an ejecting mechanism with a ram action,

. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an ejection mechanism actuated by means of a toothed wheel.

FIG. 1 shows the ejecting end of the instrument in accordance with the invention. A substantially cylindrical hollow body 1, which also acts as the handling section, accommodates the ejecting mechanism, indicated by the ejector 6.

At one end of the cylinder, an introduction nozzle 2 is mounted, which receives the medicant, and is to be inserted into the body portion and with the nozzle being so formed at its ejecting end that it is readily introduced into the body passage. The introduction nozzle 2 is interchangeable. This interchangeability is of considerable importance, since the introducing nozzle 2 may be adapted to the physical condition and physique of the patient and also because it assures sterile manipulation. The degree of sterility may be regarded as complete if, as explained in detail hereinafter, the cartridge packaging simultaneously forms the introductory nozzle and as such is attached to the device. After use, it is then discarded as an empty member.

The basic instrument shown in FIG. 1 shows the introductory nozzle clipped onto the end of the cylinder. Naturally, other methods of mounting, such as bayonet or screw couplings may be used.

To permit the cartridge to be relatively easily charged into the nozzle the latter is either slit at its end (substantially as indicated by the slit 4), or is so formed that a resilient introduction with a reliable fit is assured. Inserting the cartridge into the ejector portion may be carried out in a sterile manner by the use of a protective cloth or paper.

The whole device is conveniently made of plastics, whereby use can be made'acco rdingly of the manifold characteristics of this material with regard to its strength, pliability, softness and its resilient behavior.

The ejector is moved in the direction of the arrow and propels the cartridge to its destination. It is thus expedient, if not necessarily a medical necessity, to allow the end position of the ejector 6 to be optionally fixed so that the depth of insertion of the cartridge 3 in the body passage may be limited.

An additional precautionary measure, with regard to hygiene, may be effected as shown in FIG. 2. Herein, the cartridge 3 is placed in a protective envelope 7 prior to be charged into the ejector nozzle 2. This envelope 7 is comprised of a thin foil skin with a sacklike enlargement 7a and a collar-shaped edging 7b at its opening edge. This latter forms a protection for the body part, against contact with the device. The length of the protective envelope 7 is so chosen that, a cavity, or air cushion, L is formed at the rear end of the en velope 7 after the cartridge 3 has been charged. The purpose of this air cushion is firstly to seal the cartridge against the guide portion at the end of the nozzle, and secondly that the ejecting operation may be performed both resiliently and gradually, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows how a suitably fashioned and prepared packaging foil 5 with the cartridge 3 (thus obviating the necessity for the latter to be removed from the packaging), may be charged into the device. To facilitate the necessary opening of the foil during ejection, it is expedient for a weakened portion or a perforation 5a to be provided at the end of the aperture to facilitate ripping it open. A ripping device such as a rip-thread may also be used for this ejection procedure.

lt'has already been mentioned that to obtain an extremely high degree of sterility when using the device a special solu tion to the problem is possible, which is as follows: The pharmaceutical manufacturing firm supplies the cartridge in a packaging which is already provided with fixing elements for mounting on the hollow cylinder 1 and also preferably with an inserting end adapted to be ripped open. Thus, without the person administering the .medicant having any contact therewith (only the opening of the packaging need be prepared) the part simultaneously forming the packaging and ejecting nozzle is ejected, after manipulation has been completed, and is discarded. An embodiment shown as an example of such a package cartridge ready for ejection is shown in FIG. 4. The cartridge isenclosed in a foil skin 10 provided with an opening device, such as a ripping thread 11. At the rear end thereof there is provided an excess of foil material, 12 (FIG. 4). This cartridge being thus sealed off, is accommodated in the ejecting part 13, and simultaneously forms the packaging and is ready for dispatch. The object of the excessive portion of foil 12 at the rear end of the cover foil 10'is to move with the cartridge during its ejection and to make room,

so that when the cartridge has been medically inserted in the body passage, the foil skin 10 (now in the form of an inverted foil bag) is retained in the inserting member which, together with the ejecting section 13, is removed and discarded.

To ensure that the cover foil 10 is retained in the ejecting section 13, when the cartridge is inserted into the body passage by the ejector 6, retaining devices, such as pips 14 or internal protuberances may be provided.

It is expedient to produce the interchangeable inserting nozzle as one integer, with the foil skin enclosing the cartridge. This may be effected in such a manner that the foil skin assumes a baglike position in the nozzle and these two parts are connected at their opening edges. After the packaging or filling process, the position of the opening is covered by a foil skin which may be pulled off with the medical application.

A device, which on completion of the insertion of the cartridge automatically ejects or at least separates the inserting nozzle from the cylindrical carrier body 1 renders the manipulation of the medical apparatus very much easier.

For anatomical reasons, it may prove expedient for the inserting nozzle to be provided with an extension in the form of an introduction tube. The medicant may then be introduced into the body passage to the required depth, thus maintaining the principle of the device in accordance with the invention.

The conveying of the cartridge from the inserting nozzle into the body passage, is, as previously stated, performed by an ejector 6, which may be activated in various ways.

The simplest method is to actuate it by means of a syringe. If, for this purpose, the ejector is connected with a piston 8 mounted displaceably in the cylinder as shown in FIG. 5, then a pneumatic effect is obtained which provides an additional thrusting force for ejecting the cartridge.

An alternative method is, as shown in FIG. 6, to provide a manually manipulatable grooved wheel 9, mounted on the hollow body 1, such that the rotary movement of this wheel is converted into a thrusting force which actuates the ejector 6. An example of the method of mounting this wheel on the hollow body is by a racked-bar transmission.

A further mechanism for actuating the ejector 6 is as follows:

The movement of the ejector may be brought about by means of one or more thread guides, preferably formed in the inner wall surface of the hollow cylinder 1. A guide pin is mounted on the axially mounted pushrod imparting the ad vance. Further, an engaging device may be provided, preferably in the form of a rotatable, coaxial internal cylinder provided with longitudinal slots, having an actuating ring for manipulating the device, preferably mounted on the rear end. A grooved wheel may also be used to drive it.

Finally, it is possible to propel the cartridge to its destination by hydraulic-pneumatic means. Here, the carrier portion comprises a compressible part (possibly in the form of a balloon), which is either air-filled or liquid-filled. Within this part, a further container (filled with air or liquid) is provided which merges into a passage in which the ejector is slidably engaged. External pressure then motivates the ejector and acts in the described manner on the cartridge. The manipulation of such a device ensures a particularly soft and smooth insertion in the body passage.

In all cases, it is possible to actuate the ejector 6 by means of speed-variable miniature motor, preferably mounted internally at one end of the hollow cylinder. Thus, fine control of the speed of insertion may be obtained.

Some bf the advantages of the medical insertion device in accordance with the invention are as follows:

Firstly, as already noted, sterile manipulation, especially of rectal therapy, is increased considerably. Secondly, the medicant, particularly in the case of seriously ill persons, may be easily administered. Thirdly, with sensitive patients, the cartridge is prevented from being repelled, and also, by use of the present device, the cartridge is inserted in complete conformity with medical regulations. A plurality of sterile precautionary measures, such as cartridge packaging, protective covering for the apparatus and the like, together permit the apparatus to be used continuouslyjwithout special cleaning for other patients. The inserting tube being an extension of the inserting nozzle, by virtue of it being made of pliable plastics, renders unnecessary a long search to introduce it into the body passage, the inserting tube engaging reliably in the given body passage.

We claim:

1. A medical device for internally administrating medicants in body passages, comprising in combination, a hollow cylinder formed with an open end portion and a closed en, a piston slidable in said hollow body, said piston having a front face and a rear face, an ejector integrally secured to said front face of said piston and extending axially of said hollow cylindrical body, a rack integrally secured to the rear face of said piston and extending lengthwise of said cylinder, a knurled wheel mounted in said cylinder and engageable with said rack, said cylinder having a slot, said knurled wheel extending partially outwardly of said cylinder through said slot for manipulating said rack, an exchangeable inserting nozzle for a medicant, detachably secured to said cylinders open end portion and a disc having a central opening, said disc being detachably mounted on said inserting nozzle adjacent said cylindcr's open end, for limiting the insertion of the medical device into a body passage.

2. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said inserting nozzle is provided internally with a thin perforable foil secured to the nozzle and extending inwardly from the nozzles outlet to provide a sack portion for receiving a medicant and tearable by the medicant upon the propulsion of said medicant by said ejector through said nozzle.

3. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said inserting nozzle, at the end remote from the end at which said nozzle is mounted in said open end has a rounded resilient opening having a slot through which said cartridge is sterilely introduced into said body passage.

4. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge is provided with a protective covering open at one end comprising a thin foil skin and a sacklike enlargement to receive said cartridge, which protective covering has, at said open end a collar-shaped edging whereby said protective covering, with the said cartridge charged therein, after being received in said inserting nozzle, screens the cartridge against contact with any other parts of the device.

5. A medical device according to claim 4, wherein the length of said protective covering is greater than the length of said cartridge.

6. A medical device according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge to be inserted in the body passage together with its packaging foil is charged into said inserting nozzle, an ejecting ram being provided in said ejection means the packaging foil being opened at its one end during the ejecting process due to the pressure of said ejecting ram by virtue ofthe provision ofa perforation at this end.

7. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said inserting nozzle has an extension in the form of an inserting tube.

8. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said ejector at least at its ejecting end is bulbous. 

2. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said inserting nozzle is provided internally with a thin perforable foil secured to the nozzle and extending inwardly from the nozzle''s outlet to provide a sack portion for receiving a medicant and tearable by the medicant upon the propulsion of said medicant by said ejector through said nozzle.
 3. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said inserting nozzle, at the end remote from the end at which said nozzle is mounted in said open end has a rounded resilient opening having a slot through which said cartridge is sterilely introduced into said body passage.
 4. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge is provided with a protective covering open at one end comprising a thin foil skin and a sacklike enlargement to receive said cartridge, which protective covering has, at said open end a collar-shaped edging whereby said protective covering, with the said cartridge charged therein, after being received in said inserting nozzle, screens the cartridge against contact with any other parts of the device.
 5. A medical device according to claim 4, wherein the length of said protective covering is greater than the length of said cartridge.
 6. A medical device according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge to be inserted in the body passage together with its packaging foil is charged into said inserting nozzle, an ejecting ram being provided in said ejection means the packaging foil being opened at its one end during the ejecting process due to the pressure of said ejecting ram by virtue of the provision of a perforation at this end.
 7. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said inserting nozzle has an extension in the form of an inserting tube.
 8. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein said ejector at least at Its ejecting end is bulbous. 